If you have devoured every morsel of Zogarth’s magnificent creation and now find yourself quite bereft of pages to turn, take heart, dear reader. For there exist upon the shelves of this wide world a great many tales that shall satisfy that peculiar hunger which only system apocalypses and power progression can sate. Allow me to be your guide through these wondrous literary adventures.
Defiance of the Fall by TheFirstDefier
Here is a tale that begins, as all proper apocalypses must, with the world ending most inconveniently. Young Zac finds himself alone in a wilderness transformed, armed with nothing but a hatchet and his wits. The multiverse has arrived uninvited, bringing with it demons, magic, and a leveling system that cares nothing for fairness.
What makes this particular story sing is how masterfully it weaves cultivation and LitRPG mechanics into one seamless garment. Zac must struggle—truly struggle—for every advancement, and therein lies the joy. With over twenty million views on Royal Road and fourteen books available, one might lose oneself for many a pleasant evening.
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
Oh, but this is a peculiar treasure indeed! When aliens decide to transform Earth into an eighteen-floor dungeon for their entertainment, Carl and his girlfriend’s cat Princess Donut must survive the deadly game show broadcast to trillions of viewers. The premise sounds quite mad, and it rather is—gloriously so.
The relationship between Carl and Donut forms the beating heart of this adventure, their banter sharp as any blade. One moment you shall laugh until your sides ache, and the next find yourself genuinely moved. A television adaptation is in the works, but do read the books first—they are magnificent.
He Who Fights with Monsters by Shirtaloon
Jason Asano is an Australian fellow of decided opinions who finds himself recreated in a world where adventurers are a profession and monsters drop magical loot. His powers, unfortunately, are decidedly evil in appearance—afflictions that build over time rather than the flashy attacks he might prefer.
What sets this tale apart is Jason himself, who shall either charm you utterly or drive you to distraction. His familiar is an apocalypse beast named Colin, and his approach to heroism involves rather more sass than most mentors would recommend. Thirteen million views on Royal Road suggest the former outcome is more common.
Azarinth Healer by Rhaegar
Ilea escapes a dreary existence flipping burgers to awaken in a world where she can punch things professionally. Her class—battle healer—is nearly unheard of, allowing her to fight in close combat while keeping herself wonderfully alive. She becomes, in short, the finest sort of adrenaline enthusiast.
The progression here is considered the gold standard by many devotees of the genre. Over a thousand chapters chronicle Ilea’s rise from nobody to force of nature, and unlike many tales of this scope, Rhaegar provides genuine closure. The combat sequences are particularly inventive.
The Legend of Randidly Ghosthound by Noret Flood
When the System transforms Earth, Randidly finds himself trapped in a dungeon far beyond his level, emerging months later to discover only half a day has passed. His path diverges from the expected—he becomes a Heretic, crafting skills and abilities outside the System’s intended boundaries.
With fifty million views on Royal Road, this sprawling epic rewards readers who enjoy intricate skill systems and creative problem-solving. Randidly’s journey through increasingly strange realms offers surprises aplenty, though be warned: this is a marathon, not a sprint.
Chrysalis by RinoZ
What if, upon dying, you awakened not as a hero but as a humble ant larva in a dungeon? Anthony faces this predicament and handles it with rather more humor than one might expect. The puns alone—oh, the magnificent ant puns—justify the reading.
Nearly thirty million views attest to the charm of watching our protagonist evolve from grub to something far more formidable. The story blends monster evolution with kingdom building, all wrapped in a lighthearted tone that makes even the darkest moments digestible.
Mother of Learning by Domagoj Kurmaić
Young Zorian attends a magical academy where students learn to cast spells the proper way. A month into term, during a festival, catastrophe strikes and he dies—only to wake at the beginning of that same month. Thus begins one of the finest time-loop fantasies ever penned.
The magic system is wonderfully hard and logical, Zorian’s growth as both mage and person deeply satisfying. At approximately 2,400 pages, it is shorter than many web serials yet feels complete. The mysteries surrounding the loop resolve with admirable elegance.
Mark of the Fool by J.M. Clarke
Alex Roth desired nothing more than to become a wizard. Instead, destiny marked him as The Fool—worst of his kingdom’s five Heroes. Rather than accept a fate of servitude or death, Alex rejects divine decree entirely and enrolls at the world’s greatest magical university anyway.
This academic-focused progression fantasy offers detailed explorations of coursework, exams, and the joy of magical learning. Ten books complete the series, and readers who enjoyed Mage Errant or Arcane Ascension shall find themselves quite at home here.
Beware of Chicken by Casualfarmer
In most cultivation tales, the hero pursues immortality through combat and ambition. Jin does the opposite—reborn into a cultivator’s body, he recognizes the dangers of that life and becomes a farmer instead. His animals, touched by his discarded cultivation energy, become rather more intelligent than expected.
This is warm noodle soup for the soul, a cozy tale that subverts xianxia tropes with kindness and wit. The shifting perspectives between Jin and his enlightened chickens, pigs, and other beasts provide endless delight. Travis Baldree’s narration comes highly recommended.
The Wandering Inn by Pirateaba
Erin Solstice finds herself in a medieval fantasy world and does what any sensible person would—she takes over an abandoned inn and starts serving food. From this humble beginning grows an epic spanning millions of words, touching on tragedy, friendship, and the power of hospitality.
With over eleven million words published, this is perhaps the most ambitious web serial in existence. New chapters appear twice weekly, and Pirateaba writes over 15,000 words per week. The investment required is substantial, but so are the rewards.
Infinite Realm: Monsters & Legends by Ivan Kal
Ten years after the System Apocalypse, Earth is destroyed, and the top survivors ascend to the Infinite Realm. Among them are Zach and Ryun—once best friends, now mortal enemies after Ryun committed genocide. Their intertwined fates drive a story that questions who truly deserves the title of monster.
The combination of cultivation and LitRPG systems creates fascinating possibilities for advancement. The rotating perspectives between these complicated protagonists offer no easy answers about heroism or villainy.
The Path of Ascension by C. Mantis
Matt possesses a seemingly useless talent in a universe where such things matter greatly. Yet through cleverness and determination, he transforms this limitation into something that will eventually reshape reality itself. His journey through the empire’s Path of Ascension spans countless tiers of power.
Five million views on Royal Road attest to the appeal of this hybrid of LitRPG and cultivation. The world-building emphasizes an empire that genuinely cares for its citizens—a refreshing change from more cynical settings.
Shadeslinger by Kyle Kirrin
When Ned dives into Earthblood Online’s exclusive three-day Head Start, he acquires Frank—a talking axe with knowledge of the game’s deepest secrets. In seventy-two hours, the greatest manhunt in gaming history will begin, as every other player seeks to claim that ridiculously charming weapon.
The VRMMO subgenre can feel tired, but Kyle Kirrin breathes fresh life into it through sharp dialogue and genuine character development. Frank’s arc proves particularly satisfying, and the crafting and economic systems reward close attention.
A Thousand Li by Tao Wong
Wu Ying walks the long path of cultivation as a peasant in a world inspired by classical Chinese fantasy. His journey through the stages of immortality offers authentic martial arts elements and rich world-building that captures the essence of traditional wuxia tales.
For readers who appreciate cultivation presented with cultural authenticity, this series delivers beautifully. The progression is steady, the challenges substantial, and Wu Ying’s growth both physical and philosophical.
Speedrunning the Multiverse by adastra339
Dorian was once a Godking. Now reincarnated, he must speed-run his way back to power across different worlds. The premise offers both humor and satisfying progression as our hero applies his vast experience to challenges meant for far weaker beings.
The blend of isekai elements with progression fantasy tropes creates something entertainingly fresh. Dorian’s competence provides immediate satisfaction while still offering genuine obstacles to overcome.
Finding Your Next Adventure
Each of these tales offers something unique—whether you crave the dark humor of Dungeon Crawler Carl, the cozy warmth of Beware of Chicken, or the intricate skill systems of Randidly Ghosthound. The genre has never been richer with options.
The beauty of LitRPG and progression fantasy lies in that fundamental promise: growth. Characters begin weak and become strong through effort, cleverness, and perseverance. It is a promise these books fulfill magnificently.
Now fly away, dear reader, to whichever adventure calls to you most strongly. The pages await, and in them, worlds beyond imagining.
Looking for more progression fantasy recommendations? Check back daily as we explore more treasures in this ever-expanding genre.
